Virginia has 16 toll facilities throughout the state, of which four are Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) facilities. Most of these facilities rely on electronic toll collection, through E-ZPass or by capturing images of license plates.

To reduce interpersonal contact at toll booths in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,
VDOT recommends motorists use non-cash or electronic toll payment methods. E-ZPass is the easiest and most convenient way to pay tolls, and does not involve hand-to-hand contact.

Effective April 1, 2020

Both the Powhite Parkway Extension and the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge have temporarily removed cash-exchange toll collection in response to COVID-19.

Exact change can still be dropped into the coin basket at Powhite Parkway Extension.

Temporarily, a new E-ZPass account only requires $20 to open, reduced from $35, in an effort to make it easier to get a transponder. As a reminder, the full $20
investment goes toward tolls.

If you make an unpaid trip on a Virginia toll facility, you may be able to pay the toll through the “missed-a-toll” process before receiving an invoice. Due to COVID-19, the standard
administrative fee associated with missed-a-toll has been temporarily suspended.
The missed-a-toll payment process must take place within six days of the unpaid-toll trip.

SAFETY REST AREAS

VDOT's 43 Safety Rest Areas are open.

In accordance with Executive Order 63, issued by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and effective Friday, May 29, 2020, members of the public must wear a face covering when inside VDOT facilities, which include safety rest areas, except in certain situations noted in the executive order.

VDOT is taking extra steps to ensure its safety rest areas remain in proper condition to protect the health of travelers amid concerns of the spread of COVID-19.

We have increased disinfection and cleaning procedures.

We have additional supplies on hand including:

soap

hand sanitizer

disinfectants.

SAFETY SERVICE PATROL

The safety service patrol is VDOT’s free safety partner designed to help with emergencies on Virginia interstates and select primary highways.

VDOT has these patrollers on corridors in the commonwealth to follow precautionary steps to ensure safety as related to COVID-19.

Some of these include:

Restricting handshakes and interpersonal touching

Maintaining a distance of six feet

Ensuring proper glove use outside of vehicles

Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance related to hand-washing and hygiene

Cleaning steering wheels, door handles and other impact points before leaving the scene

Enhancing levels and frequencies of vehicle cleaning

FERRIES

Merry Point and Sunnybank Ferries

As of Saturday, April 11, service by the Merry Point Ferry in Lancaster County and the Sunnybank Ferry in Northumberland County has been temporarily suspended to protect passengers and employees from the spread of COVID-19.

There is a 20-minute land route option for ferry users during this temporary closure.

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry

Effective Friday, May 15, the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry will begin Phase I of the return to normal operations: two-boat service hours from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., depending on traffic demands. During that time vessels will leave both sides on the hour and half-hour. All other times the vessel will leave Scotland on the hour and Jamestown on the half-hour.

VDOT will continue to evaluate and monitor traffic conditions, while also prioritizing the welfare of the crew members responsible for getting passengers safely from one side of the river to the other. Drivers and passengers are asked to remain in their vehicles for the duration of the trip. Ferry staff will continue to practice social distancing when possible and will continue taking extra safety precautions. This includes cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces (such as handrails and door knobs) at least three times per shift.

Please note that restrooms on the ferry remain closed.

VDOT LOCATIONS

As of 5 p.m. on Friday, March 20, VDOT offices and other non-public facilities are closed to walk-in visitors until further notice as a precaution to help prevent spread of COVID-19.

In accordance with Executive Order 63, issued by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and effective Friday, May 29, 2020, members of the public must wear a face covering when inside VDOT facilities, which include safety rest areas, except in certain situations noted in the executive order.

This closure includes all district offices, residencies, area headquarters and the agency’s Central Office in Richmond. The agency will implement a visitor-by-appointment process to ensure essential services and operations continue.

Service of Process

Due to office closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, our service of process procedure has changed. Learn more here.

Subpoenas and other court documents will be accepted each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at VDOT’s Central Office Annex Building, 1401 East Broad St., Richmond, Virginia, 23219.

Upon arrival, process servers must notify the onsite security guard of the purpose of their visit. Documents must be addressed to VDOT, VDOT Custodian of Records or Commissioner of Highways, and must be presented to Jo Anne Maxwell.

State Partner Response

VDOT leadership is committed to keeping employees updated on
impacts and sharing communications on health and prevention
based on guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and Virginia Department of Health.

In response to the continued spread of COVID-19, Gov. Northam has declared a state of emergency in Virginia.
VDOT is adhering to steps outlined by the governor and is implementing additional measures to protect the health and safety of employees.

The following has been shared with VDOT employees:

Social distancing is required in all work environments

All employees who are able to telework must do so

Employees are to leverage technology and utilize alternatives to in-person meetings

Employees have received procedural guidance in the event of personal exposure to or symptoms of the coronavirus disease.

FYI

Stay Connected

This website includes hyperlinks to sites neither controlled nor sponsored by VDOT or the Commonwealth of Virginia. Links may open in a new window. Some links may require the Adobe Reader. If you wish to receive this content in an accessible format per Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 794 (d), please call 800-367-7623.